Questionaire from new member

[DedJezter]

Hi everyone, I'm Jae and I have just begun researching the skoolie idea. Trying to wrap my head around all the info out there and trying to decipher what might be fact over opinion, not to say opinions don't help.

So here goes nothing...


What made you decide to make a skoolie?


Did you do it all yourself, have help, or hire help?


Do you know approximately what it cost you in total?


What were the 3 most expensive things you had to buy?


What were the first 3 things you had to replace mechanically?


What would you replace before putting on the road?


What type of Skoolie do you have?
Make?
Snout, Flat, Short, or Mini? Why?
Pusher or Puller? Why? Would you change if you could?
Engine and Tranny combo?


What part of your conversion did you hate doing?


What part did you have the most fun doing?


Did you have a floor plan in mind beforehand?
Did it work?
Did it change? Why?


Did you bid at auction or buy from seller directly? Why?
Any benefits to your choice?


What was the biggest mistake you made in your conversion?


Any big regrets?


Do you still have your Skoolie?
If not, did it die, get sold, or is it in the driveway collecting dust?


What do you love most about your Skoolie and the lifestyle? Why?

 

[Brad_SwiftFur]

Hi everyone, I'm Jae and I have just begun researching the skoolie idea. Trying to wrap my head around all the info out there and trying to decipher what might be fact over opinion, not to say opinions don't help.

So here goes nothing...


What made you decide to make a skoolie?


Did you do it all yourself, have help, or hire help?


Do you know approximately what it cost you in total?


What were the 3 most expensive things you had to buy?


What were the first 3 things you had to replace mechanically?


What would you replace before putting on the road?


What type of Skoolie do you have?
Make?
Snout, Flat, Short, or Mini? Why?
Pusher or Puller? Why? Would you change if you could?
Engine and Tranny combo?


What part of your conversion did you hate doing?


What part did you have the most fun doing?


Did you have a floor plan in mind beforehand?
Did it work?
Did it change? Why?


Did you bid at auction or buy from seller directly? Why?
Any benefits to your choice?


What was the biggest mistake you made in your conversion?


Any big regrets?


Do you still have your Skoolie?
If not, did it die, get sold, or is it in the driveway collecting dust?


What do you love most about your Skoolie and the lifestyle? Why?

What made you decide to make a skoolie?
As of right now, mine is still pretty much "As-built". Mine is currently planned to remain a people-hauler as a party wagon.

Did you do it all yourself, have help, or hire help?
So far I've done almost everything myself. I'll probably recruit help for seat removal.

Do you know approximately what it cost you in total?
So far I have $2750 in buying the bus, somewhere under $200 for tag, and about $300 in paint and window tint.

What were the 3 most expensive things you had to buy?
1. The bus itself.
2. Regearing the rear axle (not done yet, expected cost ~$1500)
3. Paint (4 colors planned), I'm using single-stage automotive paint from Summit Racing.

What were the first 3 things you had to replace mechanically?
Nothing - yet.

What would you replace before putting on the road?
Rear axle gears. 5.38 on a non-overdrive transmission = 55 top end. Mind you, I have a 5-speed manual transmission!

What type of Skoolie do you have?
Make?
IH/Blue Bird
Snout, Flat, Short, or Mini? Why?
Shorty (with a hood). I cannot fit a full length bus in my driveway.
Pusher or Puller? Why? Would you change if you could?
"Puller", as you phrase it. The T444E engine has a good reputation for durability, but not so much for power. I'd pick a DT466 if I could.
Engine and Tranny combo?
T444E and 5-speed manual (I don't know the trans model)

What part of your conversion did you hate doing?
So far, driving it home at 55. Rust repair will probably be the worst.

What part did you have the most fun doing?
Removal of stuff I'll never need or use, like the pedestrian bar and stop sign.

Did you have a floor plan in mind beforehand?
N/A
Did it work?
N/A
Did it change? Why?
N/A

Did you bid at auction or buy from seller directly? Why?
Auction. Felt it was cheaper, and I could get service history/ask seller about condition.
Any benefits to your choice?
See previous answer.

What was the biggest mistake you made in your conversion?
Didn't inspect in person before buying.

Any big regrets?
Nah. A few small regrets, most of which I'll correct in due time.

Do you still have your Skoolie?
Yes.
If not, did it die, get sold, or is it in the driveway collecting dust?
N/A

What do you love most about your Skoolie and the lifestyle? Why?
I like driving school buses because *SAFETY*. These things are designed like tanks and if I'm ever involved in a crash, I stand a much better chance of walking away unhurt (or at least a better outcome).

 

[DedJezter]

Thanks

Thanks for the info you provided. Really looking for the RV conversion people to answer, but hey, you take what you can get right.

 

[somewhereinusa]

What made you decide to make a skoolie?
I wanted a large motorhome, can't afford to by one,
wanted a bus.

Did you do it all yourself, have help, or hire help?
All by myself

Do you know approximately what it cost you in total?
yes
What were the 3 most expensive things you had to buy?
Heating system, AC's,sine wave inverter


What were the first 3 things you had to replace mechanically?
fan belt,tires,alternator

What would you replace before putting on the road?
It's on the road in use.

What type of Skoolie do you have?
Make?1991 Bluebird AARE
Snout, Flat, Short, or Mini? Why?
Pusher or Puller? Flat nose full size pusherWhy?Ride,noise,heat,ease of repairs. Would you change if you could?No
Engine and Tranny combo? Cat 3116 Allison MT643

What part of your conversion did you hate doing? Paint

What part did you have the most fun doing? All of it.

Did you have a floor plan in mind beforehand?Yes
Did it work?Yes
Did it change?Not really Why?


Did you bid at auction or buy from seller directly?Dealer Why?
Saw it, drove it, it met most of my "must haves"
Any benefits to your choice?


What was the biggest mistake you made in your conversion?


Any big regrets? No


Do you still have your Skoolie?Yes
If not, did it die, get sold, or is it in the driveway collecting dust?


What do you love most about your Skoolie and the lifestyle?
I can have a nice, big motorhome with all of the goodies I want without having to make payments and it's done the way I want it.
Why?

 

[DedJezter]

Thank you very much for your response. What about painting it wasn't good for you? Was it the size or something else?

 

[somewhereinusa]

I just don't like painting and it was about 100 degrees out.